How to clean a rusty cast iron bench?

Start with a stiff wire brush to remove the loose, flaking rust. Work methodically across the surface, taking care not to scratch too deeply into the base metal. Wipe it down with a dry cloth to clear the dust. You can then apply a rust-inhibiting primer before repainting. This seals the metal against moisture.

I have a very heavy cooking pot that looks like it might be from the Victorian era, can it still be used on a stove safely?

Many people still cook with nineteenth-century pans. You need to ensure the interior surface is clean, free of deep active rust, and properly seasoned with oil. Avoid sudden temperature changes. Putting a cold antique pot directly onto a high flame can shock the brittle metal, causing it to crack. Heat it up gradually.

What does a foundry mark look like?

It is usually a raised set of letters or numbers cast directly into the metal. Sometimes they include a diamond-shaped registration kite.

There is a garden urn I am looking at buying but it has several thick layers of peeling white paint over the surface, should I strip it?

It depends on the level of detail you want to see. Thick layers of old paint soften the sharp lines of the original mouldings, making the piece look rounded. Stripping takes time and often reveals why it was painted in the first place. You might uncover old repairs or uneven casting surfaces beneath the layers. If you decide to remove it, chemical strippers are generally safer for the iron than aggressive sandblasting. Old paint often contains lead, so take proper precautions.

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Antique Cast Iron

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Heavy, moulded metal objects ranging from ornate garden benches to robust cooking pots and architectural elements. Antique cast iron provided durable, mass-produced utility and decoration for homes, gardens, and industries across the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.